Ready to hear Smeds down in the dumps after we beat his England squad!!
[/quote]

I'm predicting England win 2-1, but will win it with a lucky goal. We've been woeful in the warm up matches, and it has only slowly dawned on people that this team isn't as good as people think.
If Clint Dempsey is up against Glen Johnson (England's right back), that will be a very interesting matchup. Defensively, Johnson is suspect, and Dempsey is a very tricky player, who I like a lot.

First game was a good one - great first goal by the South Africans, and - although Mexico, who like in their friendly with England were poor in front of goal, deserved a point - I felt sorry for the host nation at the end that they didn't win.

[quote name='Smedsthejet' date='11 June 2010 - 12:12 PM' timestamp='1276272720' post='304117']
I'm predicting England win 2-1, but will win it with a lucky goal. We've been woeful in the warm up matches, and it has only slowly dawned on people that this team isn't as good as people think.
If Clint Dempsey is up against Glen Johnson (England's right back), that will be a very interesting matchup. Defensively, Johnson is suspect, and Dempsey is a very tricky player, who I like a lot.

First game was a good one - great first goal by the South Africans, and - although Mexico, who like in their friendly with England were poor in front of goal, deserved a point - I felt sorry for the host nation at the end that they didn't win.
[/quote]

Johnson is going to be where the USA should attack. You know I'm a Liverpool supporter, and I do love Glen Johnson, he's one of the best right backs going forward but like you said really suspect defensively at times.

I'll save my prediction until I see what Bradley puts out there. He's unpredictable, and I cannot stand him. We'll see..

Supposedly there are going to be more US fans in the stadium than English fans, which you wouldn't expect given the difference in popularity of the sport between the two of our countries.
To be honest though that can be put down largely to the British media - who already are making a bit of a scene about the empty seats at the game between South Korea and Greece today - and their consistent portrayal of South Africa as a crime-ridden, no-go zone. Although crime levels are high over there, it is still one of the most visited countries on Earth. If I could afford tickets, travel etc., I'd have jumped at the chance to go.

[quote name='Smedsthejet' date='12 June 2010 - 12:44 PM' timestamp='1276361055' post='304137']
Supposedly there are going to be more US fans in the stadium than English fans, which you wouldn't expect given the difference in popularity of the sport between the two of our countries.
To be honest though that can be put down largely to the British media - who already are making a bit of a scene about the empty seats at the game between South Korea and Greece today - and their consistent portrayal of South Africa as a crime-ridden, no-go zone. Although crime levels are high over there, it is still one of the most visited countries on Earth. If I could afford tickets, travel etc., I'd have jumped at the chance to go.

In all fairness, the US deserved that goal - they've created the better of the chances so far and been better on the ball. But they need to get behind our full backs more if they're going to cause England more problems. Too often they've played the ball around in front of our defence, and Donovan and Dempsey should be more adventurous.
England need to be less one dimensional. Rooney has done nothing so far and all we seem to be doing is the long ball up to Heskey.

[quote name='Smedsthejet' date='12 June 2010 - 03:22 PM' timestamp='1276370531' post='304144']
In all fairness, the US deserved that goal - they've created the better of the chances so far and been better on the ball. But they need to get behind our full backs more if they're going to cause England more problems. Too often they've played the ball around in front of our defence, and Donovan and Dempsey should be more adventurous.
England need to be less one dimensional. Rooney has done nothing so far and all we seem to be doing is the long ball up to Heskey.

Should be an interesting second half...
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USA playing far too narrow. It's really annoying me.

Tell Donovan to stay far wide, on the line and have a go at either Cole or Johnson.

[quote name='Smedsthejet' date='12 June 2010 - 04:28 PM' timestamp='1276374516' post='304148']
I think we'll both go through, but that neither will make it past the quarter finals at best (getting to the last eight though for the US would be considered a success though I guess).
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[quote name='Jetsman05' date='12 June 2010 - 09:35 PM' timestamp='1276374950' post='304152']
It's World Cup time, I fully expect Rooney to be lost just like he was tonight.
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Analysts over here have been arguing to play him up front alone, but that would demand a less direct approach than England usually play. With Heskey or Crouch alongside him, the team are arguably more inclined to loft long balls upfield, but that doesn't mean you can't play the ball on the ground too. We need to get Rooney dropping more into the space between defence and midfield, play a quick one-two with a teammate, and have him roll his marker because he'll have most defenders beat for pace.